Christchurch City Council appoints Dr Lesley McTurk as new CEO
12 February 2003
Dr Lesley McTurk, the former director of Hospital Services for
Southern Cross Healthcare throughout New Zealand, has been appointed
the new chief executive of Christchurch City Council. She will replace
current city manager Mike Richardson, who has decided not to seek
reappointment after completing two five-year terms. Dr McTurk will
take up her position on the expiry of Mr Richardson's term on 1
July 2003.
The appointment of Dr McTurk was ratified at a special meeting
of the full Council this afternoon after she made a presentation
to councillors; the appointment was announced by the Mayor immediately
afterwards. Dr McTurk was short-listed from 63 applicants for the
position from all over New Zealand.
Dr McTurk, 49, has a PhD from the University of Glasgow, Scotland
where she completed her post-graduate studies after gaining BA and
MBA degrees from the University of Auckland.
As director of Southern Cross’s 11 private surgical hospitals
and 33 operating theatres throughout New Zealand, she was responsible
for some 1000 employees and managing stakeholder relationships with
700 medical specialists around the country. Within six years, until
December 2002, her management strategies turned the hospital business
around to make a commercially sustainable return on investment.
At the same time, Dr McTurk was responsible for a major capital
investment in hospital improvements, including some $12 million
spent on the refurbishment and additions to Southern Cross Hospital
in Christchurch.
Prior to running the Hospitals division for Southern Cross, Dr
McTurk was chief executive of Auckland’s Mercy Hospital, New
Zealand’s largest private health facility, which she also turned
to profitability. Before taking time out to attain her PhD, Dr McTurk
was Auckland regional operations manager for the Christchurch-based
United Building Society while also completing her MBA.
Announcing the appointment, Mayor Garry Moore said Dr McTurk had
been attracted to Christchurch because of the good reputation and
ethical standing of the City Council and the Council’s selection
panel had been similarly attracted by her strong ethical values
and sound business expertise, including significant experience in
change management and visionary leadership.
“Her management and people skills are transferable into any
sector,” Mr Moore said. “And the local government sector
is undergoing significant change at present, so in many ways having
a CEO with sound commercial leadership will give the Council an
opportunity to shine. It will prepare us for the new Local Government
Act, which will require amazingly different management skills.”
“The new Act requires someone who can bring about greater
accountability, more consultation with the community, more participation
with iwi in decision-making, and a triple bottom line focus on sustainability,
as well as strong leadership and strategic vision,” he said.
We are delighted to have found these qualities in Dr McTurk.”
Mr Moore said the panel also felt it would be an advantage that
Dr McTurk came from outside Christchurch.
“As a city, we trade with the world. I think it will be good
to have someone with a fresh perspective on our city, someone who
can look at us objectively.”
In Christchurch yesterday, Dr McTurk said she was looking forward
to taking on the role and welcomed the opportunity to live and work
in Christchurch. “I will be joining the many New Zealanders
migrating south to experience the real New Zealand,” she said.
“Christchurch is a stunning city. It has a heart, and a sense
of integrity about it that is very attractive whereas Auckland is
a rather fragmented place to live, “ she said. “Christchurch
is a city with a robust infrastructure and is in sound financial
health, so there is wide scope to add real value and enhance people's
lives.
“The Mayor and Council have a vision which is inclusive of
all citizens and values the diversity which makes communities vibrant.
I like the Council’s commitment to the economic, environmental
and social wellbeing and sustainability of the communities that
make up the city,” she said.
”I look forward to looking outwards and strengthening links
with the business community, as well as looking inwards and working
with Council staff to provide excellence in customer service to
the community.”
Mr Moore added that he was pleased with the way the councillors
had run the selection process, objectively and transparently. It
had been rewarding to be part of a team that put so much effort
into getting the right person to lead the city.
As part of the selection process, the Council consulted with staff
and with community and business leaders to find out the type of
leadership they were looking for. Key qualities included strong
and visionary leadership, a strong sense of ethics in business and
in life, an open communicator.
Background notes:
- Christchurch City Council serves a population of 325,000 with
1400 full time and 800 part time staff. It has annual revenues
of approximately $260 million and assets of $3800 million.
- The Council is the second largest city council in the country.
- The Council owns, or part owns, six Local Authority Trading
Enterprises:
- Red Bus Ltd (100% owned)
- City Care Ltd (100%)
- Orion Group Ltd (87.6%)
- Selwyn Plantation Board (39.34%)
- Christchurch International Airport (75%)
- Lyttelton Port Company (65.46%)
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